Kansas State Wildcats Prepare for Promising 2026 Football Season

With key returning players and new additions, the Wildcats look to build on recent success

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:33am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a Kansas State football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team's colors of purple, white, and gold.The Kansas State Wildcats' offense looks to build on recent success with a talented roster of returning players and new additions.Manhattan Today

The Kansas State Wildcats football team is gearing up for the 2026 season with a mix of experienced veterans and promising newcomers. Quarterback Avery Johnson returns for his fourth year as the starter, looking to build on his strong performances over the past two seasons. The tight end position also has potential with the return of sophomore Linkon Cure. Meanwhile, the running back room features a competitive group with the return of Joe Jackson as well as several high-profile transfers. While expectations are high, the Wildcats will need to navigate a challenging Big 12 schedule to reach their ceiling.

Why it matters

Kansas State is a perennial contender in the Big 12 Conference, and the 2026 season could be a pivotal one for the program. With a veteran quarterback, promising young talent, and an influx of new players, the Wildcats have the potential to make a run at the conference title and secure a bowl berth. However, the competitive nature of the Big 12 means the Wildcats will need to avoid any early stumbles to reach their full potential.

The details

Quarterback Avery Johnson returns for his fourth year as the starter, looking to build on his strong performances over the past two seasons. While his numbers dipped slightly in 2025, Johnson has shown the ability to both pass and run effectively, and will be a key leader for the Wildcats' offense. The tight end position also has potential, with sophomore Linkon Cure poised for a breakout season after seeing limited action in 2025. The running back room features a competitive group, with the return of Joe Jackson, who set a school rushing record in 2025, as well as several high-profile transfers, including Jay Harris from Oregon and Rodney Fields from Oklahoma State.

  • The 2026 Kansas State football season kicks off on September 5th.
  • The Wildcats will face their first Big 12 opponent on October 4th.

The players

Avery Johnson

A fourth-year senior and the starting quarterback for the Kansas State Wildcats. Johnson has thrown for over 2,000 yards in each of the past two seasons and has also been a threat on the ground, rushing for over 400 yards in 2025.

Linkon Cure

A sophomore tight end for the Kansas State Wildcats who is expected to have a breakout season after seeing limited action in 2025.

Joe Jackson

A running back for the Kansas State Wildcats who set the school's single-game rushing record with 293 yards in a loss to Utah in 2025.

Jay Harris

A transfer running back from the University of Oregon who will join the Kansas State Wildcats for the 2026 season.

Rodney Fields

A transfer running back from Oklahoma State University who will join the Kansas State Wildcats for the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Avery Johnson's return to Kansas State football already paying dividends in 2026”

— Jug of Snyder, Article Author

“Cure was preparing for a "sophomore breakout" season under first-year head coach Collin Klein.”

— Manhattan Mercury, Local Newspaper

What’s next

The Wildcats will look to continue their strong spring practices and position battles as they prepare for their season opener on September 5th. All eyes will be on Avery Johnson and the rest of the offense to see if they can build on their recent success and make a push for the Big 12 title.

The takeaway

The 2026 Kansas State Wildcats football team has the potential to be one of the top contenders in the Big 12 Conference, led by veteran quarterback Avery Johnson and a talented supporting cast. However, the Wildcats will need to navigate a challenging schedule and avoid any early stumbles to reach their full potential and secure a bowl berth.